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Happy 151 Canada. Here’s our 6 top picks for July 1 celebrations in Western Canada

Happy 151 Canada. Here’s our 6 top picks for July 1 celebrations in Western Canada

Mon. Jun. 11/18

As Canada Day approaches, you may find yourself wondering how last year’s sesquicentennial celebrations can be topped—if you’re not still worn out from them, that is. From Victoria to Charlottetown, the country was abuzz last year with countless elaborate celebrations that will not soon be forgotten, setting the bar for Canada Day festivities to come. If you’re already thinking about how to keep the party going for Canada’s 151st, check out these events happening across BC and Alberta that will help you relive the magic of Canada 150.

Sun Peaks near Kamloops, B.C. says, “Why limit Canada Day to just one day?” So, to let guests enjoy all the festivities, it jams the entire weekend with family-friendly festivities. Pony rides, clowns, music, bike parades and food markets will be fun to attend but then there are the lobster fests, the beer & chile cook off and a guy called “The Laughing Logger” to take in too. Don’t forget to stick around for the free Big Sugar concert on Saturday night and Canada Day cake on Sunday. Yep, a full weekend of fun. Find out more from Sun Peaks Resort here.

Vancouver Island, B.C.

Victoria’s Gorge Picnic is back for its 20th year and promises Canada Day fun for all ages. The road that runs along the beautiful and scenic Gorge Waterway will be transformed into a block party full of Canada Day festivities. The event will feature a parade, pancake breakfast, food trucks with multicultural fare, canoe rides, and much more. Learn more about the event.

Port Alberni is celebrating with the 61sdt annual Canada Day Parade through town. It starts with the sound of the steam whistle from the 1929 Baldwin Stream Train. As the train heads north, runners will “race the train” for 10 km. It’s quite a sight! Who will get to McLean Mill National Historic Site first? The train? The runners? Or the parade that started from an entirely different direction. Something to behold or be a part of. Check out the details here.

Making a vacation out of it? Visit Destination BC for some great sights to check out while you’re visiting Vancouver Island.

Canada Day at Canada Place – Vancouver, BC

Celebrate Canada’s multiculturalism at one of Canada’s premier Canada Day celebrations for over 30 years. The Vancouver event brings Canadians together to celebrate the country’s diversity. Wish Canada a happy 151st birthday with a colourful fireworks display, a plethora of music and entertainment, and citizenship ceremonies to honour new Canadians.

Canada Day B.C.

While there’s no wrong way to celebrate Canada Day, spending the day in beautiful Whistler would make for an unforgettable way to show off your Canadian pride. Celebrate Canada’s birthday while riding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, taking in breathtaking views of the mountains, enjoying performances by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, or hiking by the water. Find out more.

Powell River also gets into the spirit of celebrating with live local muic, clowns twisting balloons into every imaginable shape and tons of great fun for the family. Stop at Willingdon Beach from 12 pm to 6 pm and join in on the fun. More details here.

Canada Day in Edmonton

You really don’t think the “Festival Capital of Canada” would go without noticing Canada Day, did you? Of course, there will be events to celebrate the day. Pancake breakfasts, scavenger hunts at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, free admission to the outdoor pools for Canada AND the rest of the season, and the grand finale, the Canada Day Fireworks along the North Saskatchewan River. The best place to ohhh and ahhh over the fireworks is at the Alberta Legislature Grounds. Find out more about Edmonton’s events here.

Heading to Edmonton for the first time? Travel Alberta has some great tips on must-do activities while you’re in the area.

Canada Day in Calgary

As the home of the Stampede, Calgary is no stranger to throwing a good party. This year, the city’s downtown core will be host to numerous Canada Day celebrations aimed to keep the excitement of Canada 150 alive. Watch music and dance performances, learn more about Indigenous culture in Prince’s Island Park, and check out the One City, One Voice community sing-a-long at the Riverfront Stage. Other planned festivities include a street fair in the East Village, food trucks, and multicultural showcases. Read more details about the events.

Canada Day in the Rockies

Celebrate Canada in picturesque Banff with numerous exciting activities happening all over town. Banff Avenue will be host to the town’s famous Canada Day parade, while other locales in the area will hold family-friendly events all day long. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, a variety of live performances, Indigenous storytelling, roving circus performers, and more. In addition to the day’s celebrations, there will be a artisan market to peruse handmade goods, and admission to the Banff Park Museum will be free. Check out the full details.

Did you know its free to access Waterton Lakes National Park on July 1st? That’s the perfect day to head for the park, enjoy a wild wiener at the Wieners of Waterton and take a hike through the forest that is in the middle of a major regrowth. Find out what else will fill your day in Waterton here.